What does NVLD look like in adults? Is NVLD a real diagnosis?

Nonverbal learning disability (NVLD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by core deficits in visualspatial processing in the presence of intact verbal ability.”

Additional diagnostic criteria include Average to Superior verbal intelligence and deficits in visuoconstruction abilities, fine-motor coordination, mathematical reasoning, visuospatial memory and social skills.

Is NVLD a real diagnosis?

NVLD is a condition that has no true diagnostic home.

Prudence Fisher, Ph.D., a Research Scientist and Associate Professor at Columbia University in New York in a recent phone interview, shared some insights regarding NVLD and how it is diagnosed now and might be diagnosed in the future.

It is worthy to note that even the acronym for the condition is inconsistent, with some authors using NLD and others using NVLD.

The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems – 10th edition – Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) is the diagnostic guide of the World Health Organization.

The ICD-10-CM code used for identification of NVLD (F.81.9) encompasses learning challenges impacting academic skills and discrepancies between intellectual ability and rate or efficiency of new learning.

What does NVLD look like in adults?

Adults having NVLD find tasks such as driving a car or navigating to an unfamiliar location may be difficult.

They also find considerable difficulty with keeping track of responsibilities or managing social interactions, which may affect job performance.